84R7687 MEW-D
 
  By: Raymond H.B. No. 1386
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the prohibition of more than one counsel appearing in a
  misdemeanor case.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 45.020(b), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b) [Not more than one counsel shall conduct either the
  prosecution or defense.] State's counsel may open and conclude the
  argument in the case.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective
  date of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commences before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the proceeding commences, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.